
Be Kind Be Fair Be Honest
Be Kind Be Fair Be Honest
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our school. This prospectus is designed to offer key information for families who are considering joining our community, as well as those who have recently enrolled their child at St Gregory’s. While it is not an exhaustive guide, we hope it serves as a helpful reference point.
If you are a prospective parent and would like to experience our school in person, we warmly invite you to arrange a visit. You can also find further details about our ethos, curriculum, and community on our website: www.stgregoryschorley.co.uk.
St Gregory’s is a voluntary aided Catholic Primary School, guided by the principles of the Catholic faith. These values are at the heart of everything we do, shaping the caring and respectful atmosphere that defines our school. We currently have 213 children on roll and are supported by Lancashire Local Education Authority and the Liverpool Archdiocesan Trustees.
We are proud to be a happy, thriving, and popular school with a strong reputation for pastoral care, excellent behaviour, and high academic achievement, all within a Christ-centred environment.
Our commitment to teaching respect, kindness, and good manners ensures that our children grow into thoughtful and considerate individuals, living out our school motto: “Be kind, be fair, be honest.”
Due to high demand for places, we encourage parents to review our admissions criteria carefully before applying.
At St Gregory’s, we operate an open-door policy and warmly welcome parents into school at a mutually convenient time. We believe that strong communication between home and school is key to a child’s happiness and success.
If you ever have a concern or query about your child, please don’t hesitate to speak with Mr Darbyshire or a member of our teaching staff. No issue is too small if it is affecting your child’s wellbeing, education, or happiness. We are always happy to meet with you and work together to support your child in the best possible way.
Be Kind Be Fair Be Honest
Our school community is led and managed by a strong and highly committed team of Governors, Teachers and Support Staff:
The Governing Body is made up of:
Mrs Margaret Scard Chair of Governor
Mrs Carla Grady Vice Chair of Governor
Mr Matt Pape Foundation Governor
Miss A Evans Foundation Governor
Mrs Sharon Hobin Foundation Governor
Mr Kevin Slater LEA Governor
Mr Colin Wilby Parent Governor
Mrs Sam Green Parent Governor
Mr Darren Darbyshire Headteacher
Miss Sarah Lewis Class Teacher
Fr Graeme Dunne Parish Priest and Chaplain to the Governing Body
Head teacher Mr Darren Darbyshire
Deputy Head teacher Mrs Joanne Molyneux (Y4 Teacher)
Miss Lucy Crook (EYFS Leader)
Mrs Joanne Oldham (School SEND & Y1 Teacher)
Miss Gemma Mair (Year 2 & Play Therapy Councillor
Mrs Sarah Lewis (Y3 Teacher)
Mr Michael Wilson (Y6 Teacher)
Change 4 Life
Programme
Mr Kevin Slater
Mrs Debbie Rypel (HLTA)
Mrs Sinead O’keeffe (HLTA)
Mrs Liz Fowler (HLTA)
Mrs Philippa Waite (HLTA)
Mrs Victoria Casey (Sports Coach)
Mr Greg Drinkwater (Sports Coach)
Mrs Joanne Makinson
Mrs Lorna Bamford
Mrs Zoe Markham
Mrs Christine Taylor
Mrs Louise McClarty
Marley the Cocker Spaniel
‘Gregory’s Gang’ Staff
Mrs Carla Grady (Manager)
Mrs Joanne Makinson
Mrs Lorna Bamford
Mrs Renata Lanowska
Miss Kelly Halliday
Mrs Rachel Seed
School Business Manager Mrs Debra Robinson
School Business Mrs Helen Thomas
Support Officer
School Cook Mrs Sharon Shephard
The school day begins promptly at 8:55 am, and all children are expected to be in school by this time. Any child arriving after 9:00 am must enter through the main school entrance and report to the School Business Manager or Secretary. An accompanying adult is required to sign the late register and provide a reason for the lateness.
Regular or persistent lateness is unacceptable and will be monitored closely. If a pattern of lateness emerges:
• Parents will be contacted to discuss the issue.
• A formal meeting may be arranged with the Headteacher to address concerns.
• Continued lateness may be referred to the Local Authority’s Attendance Team, which could result in further action.
Punctuality is essential for a calm and productive start to the school day. It ensures children do not miss valuable learning time and helps maintain a positive classroom environment for all.
School starts at 8.55 am and finishes at 3.15 pm.
All children are allowed on the premises from 8:45 am, after which time they are supervised on the playground or in classes. Children may not be dropped off before this time, unless they are using the Breakfast Club facility.
At St Gregory’s, inclusion is not just a policy—it is a core value that underpins everything we do. We are proud of our strong reputation for supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and for promoting equality across all aspects of school life.
We recognise the definition of disability as outlined in the Equality Act 2010, and we are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of need or background, receives the support they require to thrive. Our SEND Policy and Local Offer, available on
our website, outline the comprehensive systems we have in place to identify and meet the needs of pupils with additional learning requirements.
Our provision is proactive, personalised, and inclusive. Pupils identified as having SEND or as being gifted and talented are placed on a register and receive tailored support either within the classroom or through targeted interventions. The Head teacher, Mr Darbyshire, and the Inclusion Manager, Mrs Oldham, work in close partnership to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to succeed.
We also welcome and support parents with disabilities, ensuring full access to school information and facilities. Our Accessibility Plan is developed in consultation with families, and we actively encourage parental involvement in shaping our inclusive practices.
St Gregory’s is proud to have been awarded the Lancashire Race Equality Mark, recognising our outstanding commitment to equality and diversity. We have also received an International Certificate from the British Council for our work with overseas schools, reflecting our global outlook and dedication to cultural understanding.
Our curriculum promotes mutual respect, celebrates diversity, and encourages pupils to understand and appreciate the multicultural society in which we live. We actively challenge stereotypes and promote positive images of all groups, ensuring that every child feels seen, valued, and respected.
Inclusion and equality are not just strengths of our school they are the foundation of our community.
“Congratulations to you and your colleagues on a successful Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning project and on achieving the International School Award Intermediate Certificate: Developing Internationalism through it. We’re delighted to include a certificate recognising your achievement.”
At St Gregory’s, we take a firm and proactive stance against bullying and racism. These behaviours are not tolerated under any circumstances, and we are proud of the strong systems we have in place to prevent, identify, and address them swiftly
We recognise that bullying and racist behaviour can occur in any setting, which is why we remain vigilant and responsive. Any allegation is taken extremely seriously and dealt with immediately and thoroughly. Our staff are trained to respond with sensitivity and firmness, ensuring that all children feel safe, respected, and valued.
Our commitment to promoting kindness, fairness, and honesty, reflected in our school motto, creates a culture where pupils are encouraged to speak out, support one another, and celebrate differences. We actively teach children about respect, empathy, and inclusion through our curriculum and pastoral care.
This proactive approach is a real strength of our school, and contributes to the warm, welcoming, and safe environment that St Gregory’s is known for.
At St Gregory’s, safeguarding is a non-negotiable priority and a real strength of our school. We are fully committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and protection of every child in our care.
In line with statutory guidance and local authority procedures, if a member of staff suspects that a child may be at risk of harm, or if a child discloses abuse, the Head teacher is legally required to report the matter immediately to Children’s Social Care. In such cases, a Social Worker will usually contact parents directly, not the school. This is a legal obligation and not a matter of individual discretion.
To ensure all concerns are accurately recorded and appropriately followed up, we use CPOMS, a secure and confidential safeguarding system. This enables staff to log concerns promptly and ensures that safeguarding information is shared with the appropriate members of the leadership team. It also allows us to monitor patterns, track vulnerable pupils, and respond swiftly and effectively.
All adults working in school, including teaching staff, support staff, and volunteers, receive annual safeguarding training, delivered both online and face-to-face. This ensures that everyone is confident in recognising signs of abuse, understanding procedures, and responding appropriately.
Our safeguarding culture is built on vigilance, accountability, and care. We work closely with external agencies and families to ensure the highest standards of protection for every child.
At St Gregory’s, we are incredibly proud of the excellent behaviour demonstrated by our pupils. Visitors often comment on the calm, respectful, and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school, a reflection of the strong relationships and shared values that underpin our community.
“The school is a cheerful hive of focused learning. The gentle sound of music playing and some dimmed lights in the building add to the feeling of this being a peaceful place. Pupils walk along corridors sensibly. They settle quickly at the start of lessons. They are extremely polite and interested in meeting visitors.”
- OFSTED 2024
We follow a clear and consistent discipline policy, supported by a ‘child-friendly’ five-point code of conduct that sets out our expectations in a way that is easy for children to understand and follow. This code is rooted in our school motto: “Be kind, be fair, be honest.” We ask all parents to read and support this code, helping us to reinforce positive behaviour both at school and at home.
Incidents of poor behaviour are rare, but when they do occur, they are logged and managed promptly and effectively. Our approach is restorative, supportive, and focused on helping children learn from their mistakes. We believe that every child can make positive choices and grow in character when guided with care and consistency.
At St Gregory’s, every child matters and every child is safe.
Our behaviour culture is a real strength of the school, contributing to a safe, happy, and respectful learning environment where all children can flourish.
Children respond best to positive reinforcement. We reward our children in many ways including:
• Giving lots of praise and encouraging smiles
• Writing positive comments on their work
• Awarding them Dojo Points
• Awarding them Merit Certificates
• Awarding them Star of the Week Certificates
• Displaying their name on the ‘you’ve been noticed’ board
• Awarding them a pass for a drink and a biscuit in the Head’s office with friends
• Sending home Dojo messages
• Telephoning parents to give them good news about their child
• Giving class rewards such as extra playtime
Wearing the St Gregory’s uniform with pride is an important part of our school identity; we expect all pupils to look smart and well-presented, as they represent not only themselves but the values and high standards symbolised by our school badge.
Reception to Year 6
Uniform for Girls
• White Blouse
• Red school jumper/cardigan
• School tie
• Black skirt or trousers or black tailored shorts
• Black shoes
• Black socks, or black or red tights
In summer, girls may wear a red gingham dress and white socks.
Uniform for Boys
• White shirt
• Red school jumper
• School tie
• Black trousers (long or short)
• Black socks
• Black shoes
In summer, boys may wear a white polo shirt and no tie instead of formal shirt.
PE kit is:
• Black shorts
• Red school PE t-shirt
• Pumps
Games kit (for outdoor lessons) is:
• Red School tracksuit top
• Black jogging bottoms
• Trainers
School uniform items are available from our registered stockists:
NU Uniforms, Market St, Chorley. In order to preserve the integrity of our uniform, please do not buy cheaper copies from other shops as these are produced without our consent and are not of the same quality or correct colour shade.
Please mark ALL clothing with your child’s name.
There is both a Breakfast Club and an After School Club run by school staff which operate daily in the school hall. Breakfast Club runs from 7:45 am until the start of school and After School Club runs from 3:15 pm until 6:00 pm. Currently, charges are £4per session for breakfast Club and £8.00 (or £7.50 for additional siblings) per session for After School Club. Both clubs include food and drink.
At St Gregory’s, we value open communication and believe that working in partnership with parents is key to a successful school experience. If you ever have a concern or complaint, we encourage you to raise it promptly so that we can work together to resolve it.
In the first instance, please speak to or write to your child’s class teacher, who will do their best to address the issue. If the matter remains unresolved, you are welcome to contact the Head teacher, Mr Darbyshire, either in writing or by arranging an appointment.
Should you still feel dissatisfied after meeting with the Head teacher, you may submit a formal written complaint to the Chair of Governors, Mrs Scard, at:
St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, Eaves Green Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3QG.
We are committed to listening, responding, and learning from feedback. Every concern is taken seriously and handled with care, respect, and confidentiality.
At St Gregory’s, we believe that educational visits, such as trips to museums, theatres, and places of cultural or historical interest, play a vital role in enriching our pupils’ learning and broadening their horizons. These experiences help to deepen understanding, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories.
We are incredibly grateful to our parents and carers for their continued support through voluntary financial contributions, which make these opportunities possible. Your generosity directly enhances the educational experience for our children, and we truly value the partnership we share in providing them with a rich and varied curriculum.
Our Charging Policy is available on the school website and outlines how we manage contributions and ensure fairness and transparency. We remain committed to making enrichment activities accessible to all pupils, and we thank you for helping us make this a reality.
The safety of our children is our highest priority, and we ask all parents and carers to support us in maintaining a safe and respectful environment around the school.
Parking on the yellow zig-zag lines outside school is strictly prohibited. These markings are there to protect children during busy drop-off and pick-up times. We also ask that parents do not block our neighbours’ driveways, as this causes inconvenience and can create unnecessary tension within our community.
To help reduce congestion and improve safety, we strongly encourage all families to park at the Minstrel pub car park and walk the short distance to school. This small change makes a big difference in keeping the area around school calm and safe for everyone.
Additionally, parents must not park on the school car park between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. This area is reserved for staff and essential visitors, and unauthorised parking poses a risk to children moving around the site.
We thank all parents for their cooperation and continued support in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for our pupils.
At St Gregory’s, we are proud to offer a rich, vibrant, and ambitious curriculum that is a true strength of our school. Rooted in our Catholic values, our curriculum nurtures the intellectual, physical, social, moral, and spiritual development of every child, enabling them to reach their full potential in a caring and inclusive environment.
Our curriculum is broad, balanced, and fully aligned with the National Curriculum, while also reflecting the unique character of our school. Each half term, children explore exciting cross-curricular themes that bring learning to life and make meaningful connections between subjects. Our dedicated teachers work tirelessly to plan creative, engaging, and purposeful lessons that inspire curiosity and a love of learning.
At the heart of our curriculum are the core subjects: Religious Education, mathematics, reading, writing, and spelling. English is central to developing confident communicators, with a strong emphasis on reading for both pleasure and knowledge. In mathematics, we have recently adopted the highly regarded ‘Maths — No Problem!’ approach, based on the Singapore model, which deepens understanding through problem-solving and mastery.
Beyond the core, we offer exceptional opportunities in the arts, and we are proud to hold the Artsmark Award in recognition of our outstanding provision in music, art, and drama. Our commitment to sports and physical education is equally strong, with every child accessing at least two hours of high-quality PE each week, alongside opportunities to represent the school in a wide range of sports. We ensure that every child learns to swim at least 25 metres and ride a bicycle before they leave us—important life skills that we value highly. Our recent Gold Sports Award reflects our success and dedication in this area.
Our science curriculum is hands-on and investigative, making full use of our extensive school grounds, pond, and wildlife area. History and geography lessons explore both local heritage and global issues, encouraging independent research and critical thinking. In Key Stage 2, all children learn French and develop the ability to speak and write with growing confidence.
We also embrace innovation in computing and digital learning, with children using a wide range of technology to enhance their learning across the curriculum. Our teachers are forward-thinking in their delivery, ensuring pupils are well-prepared for the digital world.
At St Gregory’s, our curriculum is more than just what we teach, it’s how we inspire, challenge, and support every child to become the very best version of themselves.
“Staff have expert knowledge of subject curriculums. They create meaningful activities that inspire pupils about learning. Staff check on pupils’ knowledge and skills effectively. This happens when pupils first start at the school, as well as when they study units of work. Teachers establish the essential support that pupils need, helping them to learn new knowledge successfully”. - OFSTED 2024
At St Gregory’s, we are proud to offer a rich and varied programme of after-school clubs and activities, which is a real strength of our school. These opportunities allow children to explore new interests, develop talents, and build confidence beyond the classroom.
Our clubs are run by enthusiastic members of the teaching staff and include a wide range of sports, creative arts, and enrichment activities. The programme changes each term to keep it fresh and exciting, and details are sent home so that children and parents can make informed choices together.
We are also delighted to offer individual or small group music tuition in woodwind instruments and keyboard, delivered during the school day by specialist tutors. These lessons are arranged by the school and offered at subsidised rates, making high-quality music education more accessible to our families. Information is shared annually for parents to consider.
These experiences help to nurture well-rounded, confident children who are encouraged to discover their passions and develop new skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
At the heart of St Gregory’s is our Catholic identity, which shapes every aspect of school life. The mission of our school is to pass on the faith of the Roman Catholic Church to the children in our care—not only through formal Religious Education lessons, but through the Catholic ethos that permeates our daily life.
We follow a new evolving Religious Education programme, with the foundation created by the Liverpool Archdiocese. Our curriculum is carefully designed to help children explore and deepen their understanding of Catholic beliefs and practices, while also fostering respect and awareness of other world faiths.
Our school works closely with parish catechists to prepare children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist, which take place in Year 4. These are special milestones in the children’s faith journey, and we are privileged to support them and their families through this important time.
While parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and Collective Worship, the Governing Body strongly encourages all families who choose a Catholic education to support the full spiritual life of the school and the values expressed in our Mission Statement.
At St Gregory’s, our faith is not just taught, it is lived, celebrated, and shared
Assemblies at St Gregory’s are a cherished part of school life. Held every Monday and Friday, they offer children the opportunity to come together in a collective act of worship, reflection, and celebration. These moments help to reinforce our Catholic values, build a sense of unity, and encourage children to live out our school motto: “Be kind, be fair, be honest.”
Parents often comment on how uplifting and joyful our assemblies are when they visit, describing them as a true reflection of the school’s warm ethos and strong sense of community. Whether celebrating achievements, sharing scripture, or singing together, assemblies are a time when our school family comes together in faith and fellowship.
At St Gregory’s, we believe that Relationships Education is an essential part of helping children grow into respectful, thoughtful, and loving individuals. Guided by our Catholic values, we teach children from Year 1 to Year 6 about human love, the function of the body, and God’s creative role in human reproduction, in a way that is age-appropriate, sensitive, and rooted in faith.
We use the ‘A Journey in Love’ programme, which supports children’s understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the dignity of the human person. We deeply value parents as the first educators of their children, and we ensure they are kept fully informed about when these lessons are taught. The programme encourages home discussion and reflection, strengthening the partnership between school and family.
Parents frequently express their appreciation for the thoughtful and respectful way these topics are approached, and for the opportunity to be actively involved in their child’s learning journey.
At St Gregory’s, we believe that healthy, nutritious meals are an important part of a child’s school day. Our meals are freshly prepared on site every day, offering a varied and balanced menu that supports children’s physical wellbeing and concentration in class. Menus are sent home termly so families can see what’s on offer.
Milk or water is provided with every school meal. All children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 receive free school meals, and those in Key Stage 2 whose families are eligible can also access free meals. If you would like to check your eligibility, please contact the school office in confidence.
Children may bring a packed lunch if preferred. We kindly ask that lunches are packed in suitable containers and that cans and glass bottles are not permitted for safety reasons.
In Key Stage 2, children can enjoy a slice of toast at morning break, or they may bring in fruit from home. We encourage healthy choices and ask that children do not bring crisps or other snacks for break time.
Children have constant access to water throughout the day, and water bottles are welcome on classroom tables to keep pupils hydrated and focused.
Our School Council runs a popular Healthy Tuck Shop every Monday morning, giving children the chance to make healthy snack choices independently.
In Reception, children enjoy a daily snack in small groups with an adult, which is a lovely social and learning experience. We ask parents to contribute £1 per week to support this provision.
Dinner money should be sent into school on Friday mornings for the week ahead, in a clearly labelled envelope with your child’s name and class. The cost is £2.90 per day or £14.50 per week. We appreciate your support in helping us keep this process smooth and organised
At St Gregory’s, we place a high value on regular school attendance, as every day in school contributes to a child’s learning, progress, and wellbeing. A list of school holidays is published on our website, and we strongly encourage families to plan holidays during these designated times.
Leave of absence during term time for family holidays will not be authorised. Unauthorised absences of five days or more (10 sessions) will result in a penalty notice being issued by Lancashire County Council. As of August 2024, fines are set at £160 per parent, per child, payable within 28 days. A reduced rate of £80 applies if paid within 21 days. Repeat offences may result in further legal action, including prosecution.
At St Gregory’s, the health and wellbeing of our children is a top priority. If a child becomes unwell during the school day and is deemed too ill to remain in school, our office staff will contact parents immediately so that appropriate care can be arranged.
In the event of an injury, a qualified First Aider will assess the child. If further treatment is needed, parents will be contacted without delay. For minor injuries, such as grazes, cuts, or bruises, an accident/injury slip will be sent home to ensure parents are informed that first aid has been administered,
To help us respond quickly and effectively in any situation, it is essential that parents keep their emergency contact details up to date. Please notify the school office immediately if your phone number or contact information changes.
Together, we can ensure that every child feels safe, cared for, and supported throughout their time at school.
At St Gregory’s, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is paramount. It is our policy that staff do not administer medication, except for asthma inhalers, unless specific arrangements have been made.
If a child requires prescribed medication during the school day and a parent is unable to return to administer it, the Headteacher may agree to administer the medication, but only once a written consent form has been completed. These forms are available from the school office and must include clear instructions from the parent or carer.
For children on long-term medication, a care plan must be in place, developed in consultation with parents and relevant health professionals. Children who use asthma inhalers must keep one in school, stored in a clear, lidded box labelled with their name, date of birth, and photograph to ensure quick and accurate identification.
For safety reasons, children must not carry any medication or pain relief in their school bags.
If your child has any specific health needs, please arrange to speak with the Headteacher before they start school so that we can ensure the right support and care is in place from day one.
Regular attendance is essential for every child’s progress and wellbeing. If your child is absent due to illness, please notify the school each day of absence by telephone or email before 8:55am. This helps us ensure all children are safe and accounted for.
We kindly ask parents to arrange medical and dental appointments outside of school hours wherever possible to minimise disruption to learning.
Leave of absence for holidays during term time will not be authorised. Requests for absence due to exceptional circumstances may be considered by the Head teacher, but must be submitted in advance. Please be aware that unauthorised absences may be subject to further action in line with local authority guidance.
At St Gregory’s, we deeply value the partnership between home and school. Parents are warmly welcomed to volunteer and work with children in school, helping to enrich the learning experience. For safeguarding reasons, all volunteers must undergo a police check, and it is school policy that parents do not work in the same class as their own child.
We are proud to have a thriving parent group known as FOSG – Friends of St Gregory’s. This dedicated team organises a wide range of social and fundraising events that bring our school community together. Their efforts directly benefit all pupils by funding additional resources, educational visits, and enrichment activities.
FOSG is always looking for new members and would greatly appreciate your support. Parents often comment on how enjoyable and rewarding it is to be involved in school life, and we couldn’t agree more!
For health and safety reasons, children may wear stud earrings and watches only. Rings, chains, and other jewellery are not permitted. Mobile phones are not allowed in school unless prior permission has been granted by the Head teacher. In such cases, phones must be handed in at the start of the day and will be securely stored until home time.
These rules help us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all pupils.
Each child at St Gregory’s is provided with a designated space to store their bags, coats, and lunch boxes. To help us keep belongings safe and easily identifiable, we kindly ask parents to ensure that all items are clearly labelled with their child’s name.
St Gregory’s enjoys strong and purposeful links with a number of schools, including our local high school, Holy Cross, and other Chorley schools within the Yarrow Teaching Schools’ Alliance. We also collaborate with our neighbouring school, Westmorland School, to share best practice and enrich learning experiences.
We are especially proud of our partnership with our sister school in Kenya, the Ruben Centre. Through regular communication and shared projects, our pupils gain a valuable insight into life in another part of the world, fostering global awareness, empathy, and cultural understanding.
Assessment at St Gregory’s is ongoing and meaningful, helping us to understand each child’s progress and tailor support to their individual needs. Class teachers assess learning throughout the year, and parents are kept informed through termly parentteacher consultations and a detailed annual report.
In Year 1, children take part in the national phonics screening check in June. This helps us ensure they are meeting expected standards in early reading, and additional support is provided where needed.
We are proud of the excellent progress our children make across all areas of the curriculum..
Our results are published annually on our website:
Our curriculum is driven by four key values:
These words guide our teaching and learning, and we hope that every child carries them forward as they grow into confident, compassionate members of the wider community
Headteacher: Mr D Darbyshire
St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School
Eaves Green Road C horley Lancashire PR7 3QG
Tel: 01257 263865
Email: Or: head@st-gregorys-pri-lancs-sch-uk
sbm@st-gregorys-pri.lancs.sch.uk www.stgregoryschorley.co.uk